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11 April 2025
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Medical helicopter crashes into sea off Japan, killing three while three are rescued
A medical transport helicopter fell into the sea on Sunday, 6 April 2025, in southwestern Japan, killing the patient and two other people, the Japan Coast Guard said. The pilot, Hiroshi Hamada, 66; Kazuto Yoshitake, a helicopter mechanic and a 28-year-old nurse, Sakura Kunitake, were rescued by the coast guard after they were found in the waters clinging to inflatable lifesavers. The three suffered hypothermia but were conscious, an official with the coast guard told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.
The bodies of medical doctor, Kei Arakawa, 34; Mitsuki Motoishi, 86, the patient and her caretaker Kazuyoshi Motoishi, 68, were later recovered by a Japan Air Self-Defence Force helicopter.
The coast guard deployed two planes and three ships to the area as part of the rescue operation.
According to the JCG, the helicopter, operated by SGC Saga Aviation, departed Tsushima Airport at 13h30 on Sunday. It was scheduled to arrive at Fukuoka Wajiro Hospital at 14h15 but about 10 minutes after takeoff, the aircraft stopped moving on the monitor and did not respond to a radio call.
By 19h00, all six people on the helicopter were found and recovered. Although the three survivors suffered hypothermia, they were conscious and remain hospitalised.
The helicopter was later located around 60 kilometres off the coast of Iki Island, Nagasaki Prefecture.
The JCG and the aviation company are investigating the cause of the crash.
In a statement on Monday, Saga Aviation President Hiroki Nakayama apologized for the incident and said that the company is cooperating with authorities in investigations.
During a news conference on Sunday evening, a representative from Saga Aviation said there were no abnormalities found during aircraft's most-recent inspection and none of its crew had health issues that could have interfered with the flight.
In July last year, a Saga Aviation helicopter crashed in the city of Yanagawa, Fukuoka Prefecture, resulting in the deaths of two crew members, including the pilot.
The Karatsu Coast Guard suspects that the helicopter might have made a forced water landing for some reason and is interviewing the pilot and other survivors to determine the cause.
The Japan Transport Safety Board also dispatched two air accident investigators to the site on Monday.
Source: The Associated Press, The Japan Times
The bodies of medical doctor, Kei Arakawa, 34; Mitsuki Motoishi, 86, the patient and her caretaker Kazuyoshi Motoishi, 68, were later recovered by a Japan Air Self-Defence Force helicopter.
The coast guard deployed two planes and three ships to the area as part of the rescue operation.
According to the JCG, the helicopter, operated by SGC Saga Aviation, departed Tsushima Airport at 13h30 on Sunday. It was scheduled to arrive at Fukuoka Wajiro Hospital at 14h15 but about 10 minutes after takeoff, the aircraft stopped moving on the monitor and did not respond to a radio call.
By 19h00, all six people on the helicopter were found and recovered. Although the three survivors suffered hypothermia, they were conscious and remain hospitalised.
The helicopter was later located around 60 kilometres off the coast of Iki Island, Nagasaki Prefecture.
The JCG and the aviation company are investigating the cause of the crash.
In a statement on Monday, Saga Aviation President Hiroki Nakayama apologized for the incident and said that the company is cooperating with authorities in investigations.
During a news conference on Sunday evening, a representative from Saga Aviation said there were no abnormalities found during aircraft's most-recent inspection and none of its crew had health issues that could have interfered with the flight.
In July last year, a Saga Aviation helicopter crashed in the city of Yanagawa, Fukuoka Prefecture, resulting in the deaths of two crew members, including the pilot.
The Karatsu Coast Guard suspects that the helicopter might have made a forced water landing for some reason and is interviewing the pilot and other survivors to determine the cause.
The Japan Transport Safety Board also dispatched two air accident investigators to the site on Monday.
Source: The Associated Press, The Japan Times